Bowling for Columbine

Bowling for columbine

Opening clip- Dominant 

The opening scene is displaying all the major catastrophes that have happened in past years that effect the united states of America in some way shape of form. The opening clip is perceived with a dominant response as it focuses on displaying the history behind past events.  The way I which he uses historical events that could shine the united states in bad light influence the audience to agree with him.

For example, In the bowling for columbine excerpt, Events such as Osama bin Laden training terrorists to kill US citizens. This made America believe that guns are the way forward to live, they were wrong. The US use the guns a form of reaction that allows them to defend themselves from a harm less matter.

Bank scene- Negotiated 

The scene at the bank, shows the audience how easy it is to get a gun in America. The fact that someone can walk into a bank and get one for free is insane. In the scene Michael Moore walks into a bank souly on the purpose that they would be handing out a gun to him after opening an account. In the scene, you can see that the bank itself, the receptionist does say they give out free guns.  

The dominant response to this would be, Michael Moore’s approach. Focusing on showing the outlandish approach to issues that affect America. The fact that a bank is handing out guns is crazy and they have the guns in the bank. As Michael said do you think its dangerous handing out guns at a bank. The section where he is signing the documents, the bank worker is explaining how they can legally deal firearms as they are licenced. Whilst he is signing that documents he pulls up that he can be mentally defective a but he can still get gun for making an account.

The oppositional response to this would be found when doing background research. When researching I discovered that Michael Moore in fact took the gun into the bank and asked them to help him film this scene. The bank do indeed hand out the guns to the people that create accounts with them but the Michael failed to display the background checks that take up to 6 months to make sure they mentally fit to actually have the gun.

Interview with Nichols- Oppositional 

During the interview with Nicholas, it talks about the effects that guns can have on people. The interview covers the views and opinions of Nichols on guns. I take a oppositional response to this scene as I see as what Nicholas is saying as to be right in terms of his views as to his rights. Stating that the guns are to do with his right and that he has his gun to show that he can do what he wants to do.


Nichols agrees that the explosion and live taking is wrong but the decision to have your own gun is your choice which I agree with. Michael in this scene would say is the oppressive force and stands for the accusation of Nichols of having a gun. Michael is saying that having a gun is like the explosion itself, accusing him that he could be like his brother.